I am looking for a small stand-alone wood stove to serve as a secondary source of heat for the main floor of house. I don't have an existing fireplace or chimney. I am trying to find a stove that is easy to use, with relatively low clearances, good efficiency and low emissions / a clean burn. Probably prefer non-catalytic. New to the wood stove market and finding it overwhelming! I'm seeing good reviews of QuadraFire (i.e. 2100 Milennium, 3100 step-top, Yosemite), Pacific Energy (i.e. Vista), Regency (i.e. F1100, CS 1200) and Jotul (i.e. F 100 Nordic). However, would welcome advice on which manufacturer is best, and cast iron vs. steel. Thanks!
Help choosing small wood stove!
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The 30 NC is anything but a small stove. Englander's 17VL would be considered a small stove.
Novice, you are looking at some good models. If you can describe the setting that the stove will be in it will help us narrow down choices. How large an area will you be heating?
Here's a primer with a few suggested articles to read:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/read-before-posting-or-answering-which-new-stove-to-buy.115094/
Novice, you are looking at some good models. If you can describe the setting that the stove will be in it will help us narrow down choices. How large an area will you be heating?
Here's a primer with a few suggested articles to read:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/read-before-posting-or-answering-which-new-stove-to-buy.115094/
stoveguy2esw
Minister of Fire
hi novice,
would help the members if we knew how big a footprint we are looking to heat.
as for ease of use a "non-cat" is the way to go, cat stoves are usually a bit more involved (though still not terribly hard to use)
you have a great list above of solid performers BTW, i think though if we knew how big a space we're looking at it would help the gang help you
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
I think every one of those stoves you listed are considered very good stoves by users here . . . as for cast iron vs. steel . . . that is one of those perennial questions with perhaps no real final answer except to say that steel, stone and cast iron all are well liked with proponents and happy customers of all types . . . heck for that matter, the cat vs. non-cat debate also has very happy customers and proponents of both.
The space is not huge, maybe 900 sq ft...poorly (non) insulated walls, and as I mentioned no existing chimney. Thanks for the feedback!
Sprinter
Minister of Fire
900 sf space is usually small stove category, but uninsulated walls is a real wild card. How about the floor and ceiling spaces? Also, I'm assuming Toronto is a cold winter climate. You may be looking at something a bit bigger.
Based on what you have provided I think you will do fine with a 1.3-1.5 cu ft stove, especially if this is just for supplemental heat. The Vista and Yosemite are in that range. There is also a nice Hampton H200 in this size range that you might like. Visually what style do you prefer? Steel or cast iron?
What's the floorplan like, open or several rooms with small doorways? How large is the stove room itself?
What's the floorplan like, open or several rooms with small doorways? How large is the stove room itself?
RockyMtnHigh
Feeling the Heat
I have a poorly insulated 900 square foot home with steep cathedral ceilings and my 2100 Millenium does the trick for me. Another few to look at would be the True North http://www.wiseheat.com/wood-stoves/pacific_energry_true_north_tn19 and the Lopi Answer http://lopistoves.com/product-detail.aspx?model=208 . The lineup you've already chosen is a good one and you couldn't go wrong with any of those stoves.
For Jotul, I'd go with the 3cb over the Nordic myself mostly due to log size. The Nordic only holds a 16" log and the 3cb can take an 18" (tightly of course) plus the 3cb is a little tougher of a heater. I prefer a lot of the steel stoves myself not because of the material itself but because nowadays a lot of steel stoves are north/south loaders so you have less chance of logs tumbling out on you when you open the door to reload.
For Jotul, I'd go with the 3cb over the Nordic myself mostly due to log size. The Nordic only holds a 16" log and the 3cb can take an 18" (tightly of course) plus the 3cb is a little tougher of a heater. I prefer a lot of the steel stoves myself not because of the material itself but because nowadays a lot of steel stoves are north/south loaders so you have less chance of logs tumbling out on you when you open the door to reload.
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cableman
Minister of Fire
Hearthstone shelburne! I dont know much about others but Im glad i got mine cause the clearances to combustibles is great with rear heat shield and double wall pipe. Its a medium sized stove.
I was looking at the True North the other day. It's a surprisingly compact stove. But it doesn't have the better heat shielding of the Vista or your 2100. The Vista has only 3" corner clearances.
fredarm
Minister of Fire
I have the Vista insert, which is the same as the Vista stove, minus the legs or pedestal, and with a surround. It's a great little heater, very easy to use (one lever for air control). It's very well built, with a stainless steel baffle instead of burn tubes and ceramic board. Since it's such a small firebox, it's nice to not worry if I happen to hit the baffle with a piece of wood - it won't break. I use it exactly as you describe - a secondary heat source for the main floor. It does very well in that role. I get 3 to 5 hours from a load of wood, depending on the wood and how full I stuff the stove. I burn mostly hardwoods.
RockyMtnHigh
Feeling the Heat
Yeah, the True north is a pretty sweet little stove. We've burned a few in the shop and they kick ass. It also happens to be the only stove we carry that's under $1000 (in a higher end stove shop). I almost chose it over the 2100 because it takes an 18" log but I believe the 2100 does have a slightly larger cubic foot firebox but don't quote me on that. After measuring with a tape measure, my 2100 does fit an 18" log, but you have to load VERY carefully as you only get about 1/2 clearance from the glass at that point.
They are both great stoves for an area that size, it just depends on what you're after. I'd say the airwash on the True North is actually a little bit better than my 2100 but it doesn't have quite as large of a viewing area. It is also a longer narrower stove.
I've yet to see a Super 27 in real life but that may be a good option here as well.
Can the Vista be installed without an existing chimney?
Yes I should have added the Jotul F 3 CB to my list, as it seems to receive better reviews than the F 100.
The real limitation is space...hoping to go with a corner hearth pad, and I can't fit anything larger than a 54W x 54W x 58D.
The layout is partly open concept, with a few separate rooms off the living / dining room. Living room itself is maybe 12 x 12 ft, which opens onto dining room of comparable size.
Does it matter that QuadraFire and Regency don't appear on the EPA's list?
Yes I should have added the Jotul F 3 CB to my list, as it seems to receive better reviews than the F 100.
The real limitation is space...hoping to go with a corner hearth pad, and I can't fit anything larger than a 54W x 54W x 58D.
The layout is partly open concept, with a few separate rooms off the living / dining room. Living room itself is maybe 12 x 12 ft, which opens onto dining room of comparable size.
Does it matter that QuadraFire and Regency don't appear on the EPA's list?
All the stoves mentioned so far are EPA stoves. Count the Yosemite out for a corner install. You need more clearance on the side door side or it has to be locked closed. I would get the Vista over the F3CB. It has tighter clearances and more capacity and a bit longer burn time.
All of these stoves will need a chimney. If there isn't one, it will have to be installed. Are you thinking rear vent vs top vent? My recommendation would be to go straight up and through the roof if at all possible.
All of these stoves will need a chimney. If there isn't one, it will have to be installed. Are you thinking rear vent vs top vent? My recommendation would be to go straight up and through the roof if at all possible.
Oh, I see Quadra Fire on the EPA list now...listed under "Hearth and Home Technologies". Rear vent will be necessary, unfortunately, due to the existence of a second floor above the stove location.
Sprinter
Minister of Fire
I missed the supplemental part. What is the primary heat source? So far, I like the PE True North option for this.
eclecticcottage
Minister of Fire
We're just across the lake from you-half the time I can see the skyline. We're on year #3 with the Republic 1750. We're happy with it, although this time of the year you can easily over do it and be feeling tropical, lol.
Sprinter
Minister of Fire
A well sized stove may make the primary source unnecessary most of the time. What would you be using for a wood supply and how expensive is wood there?
The chimney can be "chased" (boxed in) in the room above if that is an option. Otherwise I strongly advise putting the thimble (where the stove pipe goes outside) up about 3ft above the stove and top exit off of the stove. Going straight out the back locks one into a single height for the stove flue exit. This is a big pain if you ever want to put a different stove it.
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Compare the TN19's corner clearances vs the Vista. Big difference. It they decide to go with a 2 cu ft stove the PE Super 27 or Millenium 3100 would be a closer fit.
Good point re. the rear vent... I will be sure to do that.
Does PE still make True North? I'm not seeing it on their website.
Does PE still make True North? I'm not seeing it on their website.
RockyMtnHigh
Feeling the Heat
I agree with Be Green on the chimney placement. If you rear vent the stove and install a tee system you will likely never find another stove that will work with the system you install. The more rise you get inside the room also means the less Class A chimney you will have to purchase which will save you money in the long run (not much but every penny counts).
I myself prefer through the roof installs, They draft better and are easier to maintain.
Quads and Regencys will be EPA. Some call me crazy but I don't feel like Quadrafire's cast iron stoves are up to snuff. They just don't seem to burn as well as their steel units. It could just be me but I've seen the Cumberland Gap and the Yosemite burn and I wasn't truly impressed. If I were going to go cast iron I'd definitely go with Jotul or Vermont Castings myself.
I myself prefer through the roof installs, They draft better and are easier to maintain.
Quads and Regencys will be EPA. Some call me crazy but I don't feel like Quadrafire's cast iron stoves are up to snuff. They just don't seem to burn as well as their steel units. It could just be me but I've seen the Cumberland Gap and the Yosemite burn and I wasn't truly impressed. If I were going to go cast iron I'd definitely go with Jotul or Vermont Castings myself.
RockyMtnHigh
Feeling the Heat
PE does make the True North but it isn't on their website. I can't remember the exact reason but I think it was a politics thing or they are too proud to show off their "bargain hunter" model. If you give PE a call they will be able to direct you do a dealer in your area.
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